The Latin Dancer Poem by Diane Caudle

The midnight hour was nearing and the dance floor was stark
Colors of the spectrum were weaving and leaving their mark
As lights spun in brilliant flashes of reds, greens and blues.
Dancers watched as the loud music pulsated with the hues.
The music stopped.

He stepped from the shadows; on his arm was a dark beauty.
They strode onto the dim dance floor; the air thick and sultry.
As I stood with my partner I watched them from the darkness
He pulled her body to his and I envied their closeness.
Everyone watched

Sudden rays of greens and yellows flashed up and then apart
A deep bass suddenly throbbed with the rhythm of a heart
Black hair and dark skin, he danced in a tight, arrogant style
She danced around him, her body shook, nimble and nubile.
The music beat faster.

The couple twirled around the dance floor as if it was theirs
Pulsating music and scarlet colors flashed around like flares.
His sweat became hers as their sensuous lips barely met
He lifted her up high and then higher with the ascent
He lowered her down.

I watched the Latino lovers as they danced through the night
And I felt like a voyeur who couldn’t turn from the sight.
She lifted her hand to him but instead he turned my way
I turned to my partner and my body began to sway
My heart beat faster.

Behind me he drew closer the faster my body danced
Streaming red hues flew overhead, as backwards I glanced.
Pulling me to him, I sensed his strong masculinity.
He swirled me outwards then his hand gripped mine tightly.
Then our eyes locked.

He held me tight in his arms, we danced slowly then quickly.
We danced to the rhythm as the music moved my body.
The Latin dancer’s eyes seemed to have a hypnotic stare.
He danced so intensely I became no longer aware
Of anyone but us.

Cerulean blues flashed over and he flung my head back
His lips bent down to mine; his eyes were piercing and black
Our hearts beat together as one; my eyes closed for the kiss
But colors changed, music was subdued; something was amiss
I opened my eyes.

It seemed like I had woke and found their world didn’t exist
The dancer I'd been with had disappeared into a mist.
Couples walked around aimlessly and suddenly I froze.
Violet hues slid over walls; he walked toward the shadows.
His eyes met mine and he vanished.